Remember when everyone whinged about Daniel Craig taking on the hallowed mantle of James Bond, because he had blonde hair? Well, Capcom is treating DmC Devil May Cry as a similarly fresh start for the franchise, citing the 2006 Bond reboot, Casino Royale as an influence.

"When you see the Casino Royale remake," DmC Lead Producer Alex Jones told Eurogamer, "you see Bond before he's actually killed anyone, and it's a really traumatic event. He's rough-hewn, he's not polished or debonair, but you can see the essence of what that character will become. That's what we want to do with Dante. The core of him is there, it's just a rougher version. It's a becoming. He's not fully actualised."

What's more, the new look was something that Capcom insisted on. In fact, when Ninja Theory brought it's first four or five versions of new Dante to Capcom: "We said, 'No, no, we want you to risk making us angry," Jones explained in an interview with Kotaku. "We want it way out there and then we will walk the design back."

And the big backlash that ensued following the non-white haired Dante? "This was not unanticipated," said Jones. "Dante is an iconic character that people have genuine affection for and this is a radical departure."

"Of course long-time fans are worried about us handing over such a big title to another company, another development team," said Capcom's Hideaki Itsuna, who went on to express his confidence in Ninja Theory's ability to deliver a great narrative and a great Devil May Cry title. "They're very serious about making this game good," he said. Itsuna also explained that DmC is aimed at both new fans and existing Devil May Cry fans, who can hopefully look past the new hair colour and dishevelled punk style.

" He is modeled after the head dev of Ninja Theory. Simple as that. And that is why it pisses me off. "

He does? Do you have a pic? I personally just don't like the new Dante design. Feels too much like "AM I COOL YET". "

@Baillie said:

" @The_Laughing_Man: Why does that piss you off? I can't fathom a realistic answer. Starkiller is modelled after his voice actor. Commander Shepard is modelled after Mark Vanderloo. It is because he's working on the game and demanded to be the lead character and if he wasn't he would fire everyone? Because that's what totally happened, you know. "

" @The_Laughing_Man: Why does that piss you off? I can't fathom a realistic answer. Starkiller is modelled after his voice actor. Commander Shepard is modelled after Mark Vanderloo. It is because he's working on the game and demanded to be the lead character and if he wasn't he would fire everyone? Because that's what totally happened, you know. "

Starkiller's modelled after his actor, though, like you said so it seems more appropriate. While Shepard at least has the option to customise him to whatever your liking. Like Laughing_Man said, this is just his selfish ego's way of wanting to be ''a super cool demon hunter''.

" @The_Laughing_Man: Why does that piss you off? I can't fathom a realistic answer. Starkiller is modelled after his voice actor. Commander Shepard is modelled after Mark Vanderloo. It is because he's working on the game and demanded to be the lead character and if he wasn't he would fire everyone? Because that's what totally happened, you know. "

Starkiller's modelled after his actor, though, like you said so it seems more appropriate. While Shepard at least has the option to customise him to whatever your liking. Like Laughing_Man said, this is just his selfish ego's way of wanting to be ''a super cool demon hunter''. "

Voice actor I think is ok. I mean he IS starkiller. Unless the lead dev is gonna voice dante. Then he needs to bugger off.

That is a bad example they gave because yes that was a good movie some may debate if it was a james bond movie at heart but they just had a new actor play bond that is all. They did not really change too much else in that movie. Its not like they rebooted james bond and made him some american wise cracking former FBI agent from the street of the bronx. which to me seems like what they are doing. Its not just one thing that i'm upset about it everything from the look to it not feeling like a dante game to the point of ninja theory not quite proven themselves yet. Lastly the icing on the cake is this new dante looks like the head guy at ninja theory which just seems like a dick move to me. The truth of the matter is this is a big F*** you to die hard fans and they are hoping the new crowds will shine to this game and out number any of the die-fans DMC.

Except the reason the Casino Royale reboot worked was because it took Bond down to his core elements-namely, killing people and being a spy-and made him significantly more similar to how the original books were. They actually took away the elements that were ruining the Bond franchise (hilariously over-the-top gadgetry and obscenely stupid puns, even by Bond standards) to streamline the movie and the character.

For the DMC reboot, there's no indication that they're doing that. There was nothing that was "ruining" the Dante character. Hell, DMC4 sold the most out of all the DMC games. The fans must have still been having a good time. So it just comes off as unnecessary, whereas the Bond reboot was very necessary. Dante is still running around killing demons while being cocky and looking flashy. He just looks a lot different, and with all the allegations that the lead dev just modeled Dante around himself, there's a few good reasons to be pissed. Granted, it's only one trailer.

I'll resist judging until I actually play the game or at least see a lot more of it, but they could have used a better comparison.

I can't claim status as a fan of the earlier DMC games, but boy does the new Dante seem provocative on a few different accounts. I think there are a number of important factors at work, not the least of which are Ninja Theory's own ideas of cool but likely there are some questions of appealing to a new audience... or is that valid? No question anime-styled characters really have no problem with uptake among younger video game players. Is it a question of change for change's sake? I certainly have been thinking over the new Dante--I may have to spend some more time scrutinizing the old character design and comparing the new one.

I'm not going to judge the game straight away just because of the new character design, but I'm still going to say that I really don't like the new Dante and even if I fiind it to be a good game, it's not the Devil May Cry I know and love. It's kind of a simliar situation with Max Payne 3. I hate the new character design and location because it doesn't suit the story of what I see Max Payne to be, but that doesn't mean I'm saying the game is going to be bad, it's just that it's not going to be the Max Payne I liked. If you guys get me? :p

@Kazona: It's natural for awkward prepubescents to overextend themselves when they try to be counterculture. Honestly if it wasn't for the popularity of Twilight I doubt most of these kids would be in here stomping and tromping around.

Also assuming that the game director had enough clout to make himself Dante out of egotism is an insane assessment, especially for a smaller developer like Ninja Theory. Deciding to use an existing employee as the basis for modeling a character isn't narcissism, it's pragmatism (see Max Payne). Why waste time and money paying a model or trying to create a character from scratch when you have someone on payroll that already fits the general vision of the character?

As far as Ninja Theory goes, their gameplay may be middling at best but their cutscenes are beautiful and amazingly directed and the environments I've experienced in Enslaved are remarkably cinematic. If Capcom can lend their guiding hand to help them tighten up their combat, DmC has every chance to become the best game in the series and a new standard for character action games.

" Whats most annoyoing about this whole dante redesign thing, are the people who are defending it, because the majority of the internet hates it. Doesnt make you a special flower. "

Yes, I R dat speshul fowwer.

Majority of people may hate it be it does not make that majority right. opinions are opinions, some people like it, other's done, but it dosen't matter because the new design is happening regardless. So, This is the majority of people whining about something they can't change.. now that is 'speshul'.

" Whats most annoyoing about this whole dante redesign thing, are the people who are defending it, because the majority of the internet hates it. Doesnt make you a special flower. "

Yes, I R dat speshul fowwer. Majority of people may hate it be it does not make that majority right. opinions are opinions, some people like it, other's done, but it dosen't matter because the new design is happening regardless. So, This is the majority of people whining about something they can't change.. now that is 'speshul'. "

You really take pride in defending that redesign. Seems to me that you didnt like the original Dante to begin with. And by the way, majority wins pal, its called democracy, wether you like it or not i wont ask into.

How is whining "speshul"? Its a legitimate complaint, which i havent seen one reasonable arguement for. And yes, they should be able to change it. They did with Cole from inFamous, and Dante is a much more loved character. Not listning to the majority or this shitstorm it has produced, is just the most retarded move i have ever seen. That proves to me that NT are not capable of handling that IP.

@Jethuty: Actually I had a talk with someone over the fan hate over coal, and the fan hate over new dante, Cole on one hand (as I was corrected) was going to be in Infamous 2, a CONTINUATION of the first game, thus that fan hate was very much valid. You can't take a character from one game and have them 'continue' into the next only a year (or so) later and is TOTALLY different. And Infamous was not a reboot. So thus, fan hate valid.

And oh no, I thought old Dante was hot, why else would I play? Not because of a story, but because the character was hot, same for Nero, hot guy, Catolf will look into it. (call me vain)

But this is a Reboot.

The story being told by another, and their take on Dante, democracy won't work here, it's a reboot and Capcom already approved of this design. Ninja Theory tried to give Capcom other versions and they sent them back with a no, this one got the yes. So, fan's can complain all they want, but unless Capcom says to NT to change it, it won't happen. Thus this fan hate won't change a darn thing. It's a reboot, a retelling, no effect on what was previous. Thus Fan hate, invalid in this case. Because nothing can be done, so get over it guys.

What does any of that have to do with the character looking like an asshole? All right cool, you want to show Dante before he's Dante, but that doesn't mean you change the way he looks. No one ever thought that Daniel Craig would ever turn into Pierce Brosnan. He was a new person but he had the Bond feel. This new Dante does not have the Dante feel...

" What does any of that have to do with the character looking like an asshole? All right cool, you want to show Dante before he's Dante, but that doesn't mean you change the way he looks. No one ever thought that Daniel Craig would ever turn into Pierce Brosnan. He was a new person but he had the Bond feel. This new Dante does not have the Dante feel... Also, no one ever hated Craig... or at least I didn't. "

A lot of people were not happy with the change in bond, i think there was petitions over a blond bond. As far as Dante, we haven't gotten to see anything more than a trailer, only one, you can't say he dosent' have a Dante feel if all they have shown is one fight scene. Give it a chance for crying out loud.

" What does any of that have to do with the character looking like an asshole? All right cool, you want to show Dante before he's Dante, but that doesn't mean you change the way he looks. No one ever thought that Daniel Craig would ever turn into Pierce Brosnan. He was a new person but he had the Bond feel. This new Dante does not have the Dante feel... Also, no one ever hated Craig... or at least I didn't. "

A lot of people were not happy with the change in bond, i think there was petitions over a blond bond. As far as Dante, we haven't gotten to see anything more than a trailer, only one, you can't say he dosent' have a Dante feel if all they have shown is one fight scene. Give it a chance for crying out loud. Also, I really liked Craig, XP "

Dante has a constant attitude no matter what the scenario. He has white hair. He hates smoking. That's three elements they got wrong right off the bat.

" @Jethuty: Actually I had a talk with someone over the fan hate over coal, and the fan hate over new dante, Cole on one hand (as I was corrected) was going to be in Infamous 2, a CONTINUATION of the first game, thus that fan hate was very much valid. You can't take a character from one game and have them 'continue' into the next only a year (or so) later and is TOTALLY different. And Infamous was not a reboot. So thus, fan hate valid. And oh no, I thought old Dante was hot, why else would I play? Not because of a story, but because the character was hot, same for Nero, hot guy, Catolf will look into it. (call me vain) But this is a Reboot. The story being told by another, and their take on Dante, democracy won't work here, it's a reboot and Capcom already approved of this design. Ninja Theory tried to give Capcom other versions and they sent them back with a no, this one got the yes. So, fan's can complain all they want, but unless Capcom says to NT to change it, it won't happen. Thus this fan hate won't change a darn thing. It's a reboot, a retelling, no effect on what was previous. Thus Fan hate, invalid in this case. Because nothing can be done, so get over it guys. "

As a hardcore DMC fan, I am not upset by this at all. People complain and complain about how games just do the same thing over and over and here is Capcom trying to do something new, and what do fans say? Just do what you've been doing for the past decade. Gamers complain about everything. If the game had just been DMC with new levels fans would have said it was like a DMC4 expansion. Since it's changed they say it should have been just like the old ones. Can you guys never be pleased by anything?

Dante has a constant attitude no matter what the scenario. He has white hair. He hates smoking. That's three elements they got wrong right off the bat. "

This guy is GETTING HIS WHITE HAIR... and why does it even matter about hair anyway, that is the worst thing to be whining about.

Also you've seen one trailer, so you don't know what kind of attitude he has, he said 4 words, I just wish you lot would give this damn game a chance before you whined about it.

@Jethuty said:

Its both a prequel and a reboot. Get your facts straight. "

I do, a reboot and prequel would state that if this does go well, they might go further and give you a full white haired dante experiance later reguardless. So whining, wait for the game to come out, if it sucks then I will be right there with you saying it blows, but for now, bitching about white hair and looks on a rebooted prequel, it's stupid.

Dante has a constant attitude no matter what the scenario. He has white hair. He hates smoking. That's three elements they got wrong right off the bat. "

This guy is GETTING HIS WHITE HAIR... and why does it even matter about hair anyway, that is the worst thing to be whining about.

Also you've seen one trailer, so you don't know what kind of attitude he has, he said 4 words, I just wish you lot would give this damn game a chance before you whined about it.

@Jethuty said:

Its both a prequel and a reboot. Get your facts straight. "

I do, a reboot and prequel would state that if this does go well, they might go further and give you a full white haired dante experiance later reguardless. So whining, wait for the game to come out, if it sucks then I will be right there with you saying it blows, but for now, bitching about white hair and looks on a rebooted prequel, it's stupid. "

Im not complaining about white hair. I can see the white patch in his hair. Im worried about them not understanding the character at all. Dante does not smoke, he does not have any form of scars/bruises and he doesnt live in britain.

Also i am worried because HS combat was horrible and it cant both be a prequel and a reboot. Its two contradicting things.

@Jethuty: I know you weren't, i was just saying. (wtf i can't get bold off..oh there it goes..still won't let me fix that part..ah well..)

This is supposed to be YOUNG Dante, he's beaten up and young, being a little snot trying to get used to what and who he is, is it that wrong to have character development? Dante is supposed to be half demon, i bet he moves a damn lot at first before finding himself a stable 'job' site.

And the Heavenly Sword combat is not horrible, it's to be desired but far from horrible, I can say that while playing through about half of the game just to see why everyone is bitching about it. it's not bad. I've played worse. Also a Reboot and a prequel is not contradictory if they have this set WAY before any of the other DMC's It's giving Dante the time to grow and become who he is, again, character development is NOT a bad thing.

@GunslingerPanda said:

" Heavenly Sword was okay

I don't want an okay DMC game though. "

Aside from the first DMC (and possible 3?) the rest of been okay... nothing great.. let the game come out before you judge. But I agree Heavenly Sword is okay, but it has great story telling and interesting characters. The guys at NT just need to tighten up their combat and things could get awesome.

" @Jethuty: I know you weren't, i was just saying. (wtf i can't get bold off..oh there it goes..still won't let me fix that part..ah well..)

This is supposed to be YOUNG Dante, he's beaten up and young, being a little snot trying to get used to what and who he is, is it that wrong to have character development? Dante is supposed to be half demon, i bet he moves a damn lot at first before finding himself a stable 'job' site.

And the Heavenly Sword combat is not horrible, it's to be desired but far from horrible, I can say that while playing through about half of the game just to see why everyone is bitching about it. it's not bad. I've played worse. Also a Reboot and a prequel is not contradictory if they have this set WAY before any of the other DMC's It's giving Dante the time to grow and become who he is, again, character development is NOT a bad thing.

@GunslingerPanda said:

" Heavenly Sword was okay

I don't want an okay DMC game though. "

Aside from the first DMC (and possible 3?) the rest of been okay... nothing great.. let the game come out before you judge. But I agree Heavenly Sword is okay, but it has great story telling and interesting characters. The guys at NT just need to tighten up their combat and things could get awesome. "

Character development is a bad thing if it doesnt tie into the existing character. You cant call it development when its a reboot

Character development is a bad thing if it doesnt tie into the existing character. You cant call it development when its a reboot "

You haven't given it a chance, nor have you seen if it tied to the character or not. And you said Reboot Prequel, so, my facts are straight XD Also, I just think your never going to give this game a chance until the day it comes out and you buy regardless of complaints.

'We needed to make a new Devil May Cry but rather than investing any time into making it something new or even particularly interesting, we gave the main guy a new haircut to really hit home how creatively bankrupt we are. It also gave us the opportunity to set the game as a prequel so we could continue to shoehorn other characters like Virgil in while still giving us backdoor excuse when it makes even less sense than DMC4 *laugh*' - Alex Jones

Anyway, when you think about it, this redesign really isn't that severe, especially when you compare it to the transformations some older franchises have gone through over the years. Personally I'd be far more worried about the fact that it's being developed by the makers of Heavenly Sword.

Anyway, when you think about it, this redesign really isn't that severe, especially when you compare it to the transformations some older franchises have gone through over the years. Personally I'd be far more worried about the fact that it's being developed by the makers of Heavenly Sword. "

Anyway, when you think about it, this redesign really isn't that severe, especially when you compare it to the transformations some older franchises have gone through over the years. Personally I'd be far more worried about the fact that it's being developed by the makers of Heavenly Sword. "

Yeah I was a little late getting my head around it, thus the edit above XD.

I wouldn't be too worried, the reviews are in for Enslaved and so far it's getting pretty good scores, not 10's but 8's and stuff, I doubt we have too much to worry about, though the fast paced fighting will be a test for new comers NT. But so far, from their first few games they are showing improvement.

Character development is a bad thing if it doesnt tie into the existing character. You cant call it development when its a reboot "

You haven't given it a chance, nor have you seen if it tied to the character or not. And you said Reboot Prequel, so, my facts are straight XD Also, I just think your never going to give this game a chance until the day it comes out and you buy regardless of complaints. "

@Catolf: That definitely has been my main concern with Ninja Theory talking the reigns. Ninja Theory are definitely not bad developers, but DMC has a very particular (and to be honest very Japanese) gameplay style that I'm not really sure NT will be able to pull off. basically I have no doubt that the game will at least end up being decent, I'm just a little worried that it won't really end up being Devil May Cry.